School struggles with student's death

TAMPA - It was an awful, uncomfortable announcement that no one wanted to make.

"Students, Thank you," said King High School Principal Carla Bruning over a phone connected to the school's public address system. "I have to speak about the tragedy at the end of last week."

The principal held the phone tightly, somehow summoning the words to calm and comfort a student body still stunned that a sophomore in the school's International Baccalaureate program wouldn't be coming back to campus.

That Calyx Schenecker, debater, runner, fan of Harry Potter was killed by her mom for, as Julie Schenecker told police, being too mouthy.

"We will have the Hillsborough County Crisis team on campus today," announced the Principal in her first-thing-in-the-morning announcement.

"What the kids are dealing with today is an extraordinarily tragic but fortunately rare occurance," said Bryan Kill, who sat at Principal Bruning's right side as the counselling commenced.

"Sometimes you just listen," Bruning said. "And sometimes you just hug 'em."